How far will we go to support our oil addiction and avoid switching to alternative energies? As the oil supplies on land in the United States continue to be depleted at an alarmingly fast rate, large oil companies are reaching out to offshore drilling to provide new sources of oil. This has been going on for a very long time, but oil supporters are pushing harder than ever to gain access to protected areas. With the continental shelf extending 3 to 200 miles off of United States coast lines (Rick Jervis, 2008) there is a huge area where drilling could occur (Offshore drilling map) (Oil Drill Graph). The farther offshore these drilling sites are placed the larger the risk of spills and extra pollution becomes.
Too many people support offshore drilling because they believe it is the answer to oil independence and lowering fuel prices. However, studies have shown that ‘new drilling would produce only 7% more oil in 2030, and the impact on oil prices would be "insignificant."’ (Rick Jervis, 2008). The benefit for oil prices does not come close to matching up with the enormous environmental toll taken on ocean ecosystems and local economies that rely on clean shorelines.
The environmental damage starts with the oil research teams who find oil reserves by sending out seismic waves which bounce back and show the location of a possible reserve. This seismic noise “disorientates whales and leads to mass beachings.” (Nixon, 2008) Over 100 whales beached themselves near Madagascar where ExxonMobil was exploring for new offshore oil reserves. Many other species are affected by offshore drilling as well (Species damaged by offshore drilling) (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010). Dangerous contaminates are released into the ocean by “normal” drilling procedures. These toxic substances can be spread large distances across the ocean floor where they are consumed by bottom-dwelling organisms and eventually make their way into the fish we eat by way of the food chain. (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010)
The risk factor for large scale accidents occurring in offshore drilling is very high. The oil rigs are placed in very vulnerable spots in the ocean where they are easily damaged by hurricanes or strong storms. ‘In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed 113 of the oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and damaged 457 pipelines. Hurricane damage caused at least 124 different spills, totaling over 17,700 barrels (743,000 gallons) of petroleum products.’ (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010)
One of the major problems with oil spills is how fast it can spread along the surface of the ocean. The loop current in the Gulf of Mexico can spread an oil spill from the eastern Gulf of Mexico all the way to the beaches of Florida’s panhandle. (NRDC, 2009) This means that any spill in the Gulf could have devastating effects on the local economies that attract tourists with clean beaches and beautiful vacation spots.
Offshore drilling is a major issue and should not be taken lightly. The human race is ruining the planet with no regard for any other species, and offshore drilling is a prime example. If drilling is not limited, the whale population will continue to suffer as well as many other ocean-dwelling animals. Our planet will continue to get dirtier and we will only be delaying the inevitable switch to a cleaner source of energy. We need to prevent new drilling sites from being developed by keeping the protected areas protected and slowly cut our dependence on offshore drilling. The money that is being put into these drilling projects should instead go to alternative forms of energy such as solar power and wind power (Offshore Wind Farm) (Dillow, 2010). Any way of generating enough energy to power entire states and regions will pose some environmental problems, but at least these forms of energy are clean and do not depend on a finite resource.
How far will we go to support our oil addiction and avoid switching to alternative energies? As the oil supplies on land in the United States continue to be depleted at an alarmingly fast rate, large oil companies are reaching out to offshore drilling to provide new sources of oil. This has been going on for a very long time, but oil supporters are pushing harder than ever to gain access to protected areas. With the continental shelf extending 3 to 200 miles off of United States coast lines (Rick Jervis, 2008) there is a huge area where drilling could occur (Offshore drilling map) (Oil Drill Graph). The farther offshore these drilling sites are placed the larger the risk of spills and extra pollution becomes.
Too many people support offshore drilling because they believe it is the answer to oil independence and lowering fuel prices. However, studies have shown that ‘new drilling would produce only 7% more oil in 2030, and the impact on oil prices would be "insignificant."’ (Rick Jervis, 2008). The benefit for oil prices does not come close to matching up with the enormous environmental toll taken on ocean ecosystems and local economies that rely on clean shorelines.
The environmental damage starts with the oil research teams who find oil reserves by sending out seismic waves which bounce back and show the location of a possible reserve. This seismic noise “disorientates whales and leads to mass beachings.” (Nixon, 2008) Over 100 whales beached themselves near Madagascar where ExxonMobil was exploring for new offshore oil reserves. Many other species are affected by offshore drilling as well (Species damaged by offshore drilling) (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010). Dangerous contaminates are released into the ocean by “normal” drilling procedures. These toxic substances can be spread large distances across the ocean floor where they are consumed by bottom-dwelling organisms and eventually make their way into the fish we eat by way of the food chain. (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010)
The risk factor for large scale accidents occurring in offshore drilling is very high. The oil rigs are placed in very vulnerable spots in the ocean where they are easily damaged by hurricanes or strong storms. ‘In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed 113 of the oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and damaged 457 pipelines. Hurricane damage caused at least 124 different spills, totaling over 17,700 barrels (743,000 gallons) of petroleum products.’ (Defenders of Wildlife, 2010)
One of the major problems with oil spills is how fast it can spread along the surface of the ocean. The loop current in the Gulf of Mexico can spread an oil spill from the eastern Gulf of Mexico all the way to the beaches of Florida’s panhandle. (NRDC, 2009) This means that any spill in the Gulf could have devastating effects on the local economies that attract tourists with clean beaches and beautiful vacation spots.
Offshore drilling is a major issue and should not be taken lightly. The human race is ruining the planet with no regard for any other species, and offshore drilling is a prime example. If drilling is not limited, the whale population will continue to suffer as well as many other ocean-dwelling animals. Our planet will continue to get dirtier and we will only be delaying the inevitable switch to a cleaner source of energy. We need to prevent new drilling sites from being developed by keeping the protected areas protected and slowly cut our dependence on offshore drilling. The money that is being put into these drilling projects should instead go to alternative forms of energy such as solar power and wind power (Offshore Wind Farm) (Dillow, 2010). Any way of generating enough energy to power entire states and regions will pose some environmental problems, but at least these forms of energy are clean and do not depend on a finite resource.
Bibliography
Defenders of Wildlife. (2010). Wildlife and Offshore Drilling. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Defenders of Wildlife: http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/threats/offshore_drilling.phpDillow, C. (2010, April 28). U.S. Approves Its First Offshore Wind Farm (Finally). Retrieved September 11, 2011, from POPSCI: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-04/us-approves-first-offshore-wind-farm-cape-cod
Nixon, R. (2008, June 25). Oil Drilling: Risks and Rewards. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/4979-oil-drilling-risks-rewards.html
NRDC. (2009, September). Protecting Our Ocean and Coastal Economies. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from NRDC: http://www.nrdc.org/oceans/offshore/files/offshore.pdf
Oil Drill Graph. (n.d.). Retrieved September 11, 2011, from http://blogs.reuters.com/commodity-corner/files/2008/06/oil_drill_graph2.gif
Rick Jervis, W. W. (2008, July 14). Worth the risk? Debate on offshore drilling heats up. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-07-13-offshore-drilling_N.htm